Mohamedou Slahi is Free

Every once in awhile our work humbles us to the core.

After 14 years of detention without charge, Mohamedou Ould Slahi was released from the military detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.  Leading up to this moment Balestra Media worked closely with the ACLU to create an escalating multi-medium campaign advocating for the release of Slahi. The campaign braided traditional earned media relations with digital petition engagement and creative strategies to elevate Mohamedou’s voice and build his supporter base while the GITMO periodic review board considered Mohamedou for release.

Balestra Media worked with Mohamedou’s brother, Yahdih Slahi to develop a petition asking then Defense Secretary Ashe Carter to consider freedom for Mohamedou and combined in-person petition events with an escalating digital publishing calendar that posted daily graphics inspired by the journal entries of Mohamedou Slahi.

Mohamedou was released this morning by way of an early morning flight from Guantanamo Bay to Mauritania where his family resides.  

Before even arriving home Mohamedou told his lawyer Nancy Hollander he hoped to one day tour Europe promoting his New York Times best-selling memoir, Guantanamo Diary. It’s humbling to know that could soon be a reality.